Knockdown shipping crate



21%." RECEPTAGLES,

Aug. 25. 1925.

W. K. REHMAN KNO CKDOWN SHIPPING CRATE Filed Oct. 25. '1924 I m VENTORff 56/72/7472 A TTORHEY r H anonrraonns,

Patented Au. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KNOGKDOWN SHIPPING CRATE.

Application fi1ed October 25, 1924. Serial No. 745,734..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM K. REHMAN, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Mineola, Nassau County, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown ShippingCrates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shipping crates and in particular to aknockdown type which is used in the shipping of books or the like.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a crate of thecharacter described which can be used to ship books in large quantitiesfrom the publishing house to the distributing stations in motor trucks,the crates being constructed so that when loaded they may be moved abouton a hand truck.

A further object is to provide a case which will keep the books pressedand in shape during such shipment and which when not in use can beknocked down for compact storage.

A still further object is to provide a crate which can be used a numberof times and which besides accommodating a large number of books can beadjusted to allow for a variable number of books.

Referring to the drawing wherein I have shown a preferred embodiment ofmy invention:

Figure 1 is a View in perspective of my improved crate filled with booksand ready for shipment.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1showing how the holding rods may be separately held in the bottom sidepieces.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a corner of theshipping case showing a modified form of rod holding means; and

Figure 4 is a view of a separate stripmernber used in conjunction withthe bottom of the crate, and illustrates a modified form of myinvention.

In the drawing 5 indicates the base member of the shipping crateconsisting of a plurality of boards 6 attached at their ends to the sidepieces 7 which are of heavier stock and are disposed on their edges tohold the bottom or base 5 in spaced relation with the floor. This spaceallows for placing the usual pneumatic hand truck in position beneaththe crate preparatory to moving it along the floor.

The ends of the side pieces 7 are provided with openings 8 havingextended recesses 9 therein, the lower ends of the rods 10 being bentinto hook portions 11 to engage within the openings 8 and the recesses 9of the side pieces. hen the rods are in final position the recessesprevent their accidental withdrawal.

The top 12 of the crate is constructed of boards 13 bound by thereinforcing members 14: at the ends of which are fastened face plates15; the boards, the reinforcing members and the face plates 15 beingprovided with cut outs 16 to allow for passage therethrough of thebinding or connecting rods 10. The rods 10 are disposed at the cornersof the crate, one at each corner, and are provided at their upper endswith the screw threads 17 over which passes suitable nuts 18, so thatwhen the rods are in place, the top may be forced down throughthe mediumof said nuts to compress the books 19 and securely hold the same inposition during the shipping of the crate.

In the modification shown in Figures 3 and 4:, I provide a separatestrip member 20 of metal or heavy wood having an opening 21 in the endsthereof through whichpasses the binding rods 10, the lower end of therod being bent as at 22 so that it will engage and draw on the stripupwardly when the nut is tightened.

It will be seen therefore, that I have provided a crate which isparticularly adapted for shipping books in large quantities and whichcan be taken apart and stored in a very small space, with a minimum oftime and labor.

The crate is particularly adapted for use where the books are ;preparedfor trans portation on the floor and then conveyed to a motor truck forshipment to the distributing station, the crate being so constructedthat a hand truck can be placed thereunder after it is loaded.

Having described my invention, What I pieces and the top piece, means onone end claim is of the rods for forcing the top piece doWn A shippingcrate comprising a base memto compress the books, the opposite ends of10 her adapted to serve as a platform on which the rods being hooked,and the side pieces 5 books or the like may be piled, side pieces beingprovided with openings to receive the on the base, a top piece adaptedto rest on hooked ends of said rods. the book piles, rods connectingsaid side WILLIAM K. REHMAN. w;

